COVID-19 Update from Harmony at Home
COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
We have moved all recruitment interviews online to protect our staff, nannies, household staff and clients. All our recruiters and Franchise branches are working from home.
What childcare options are there?
When regular childcare has been affected by COVID-19 we can introduce you to nannies that work in the home setting on a short-term or long terms basis. Nannies in the home setting provide dedicated childcare and a lower risk to your family during social distancing.
What does hiring a nanny look like in the current climate, how do I make a start?
Tell us what you need, by completing our registration from and we will do the rest, we are experts at finding the right nanny for each individual family. We work hard to quickly find you the best fit.
Can I interview a nanny in my home?
Find the information you need on our dedicated Nanny Interviews and Job Trials during COVID-19 page.
Do you have any top tips to help me?
Find our top tips for nannies and families on how to stay safe on our dedicated Top Tips for Nannies and Families on Staying Safe during COVID-19 page.
What about the new ‘Three Tiered System’ can I still employ a nanny?
Yes, currently the intention is for educational settings and childcare including Nannies to remain open at all levels. You can read all about the Three Tiered System and how it relates to Childcare on our COVID-19 Three-Tiered System – In home Childcare and Nannies page.
Where can I find information from the Government about COVID-19 that relates to Nannies and in-home childcare?
The Government released their ‘PLAN TO REBUILD: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy’ on the 11th May 2020 which outlines a recovery strategy in response to COVID 19.
Nannies are cited within page 26. It says:
“The Government is also amending its guidance to clarify that paid childcare, for example nannies and childminders, can take place subject to being able to meet the public health principles at Annex A, because these are roles where working from home is not possible. This should enable more working parents to return to work”.
You can read the full document including Annex A here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/our-plan-to-rebuild-the-uk-governments-covid-19-recovery-strategy
The government released Social distancing in the workplace during coronavirus (COVID-19): sector guidance on the 1st May 2020
“Working in people’s homes as a tradesperson, cleaner or nanny
You are a tradesperson carrying out essential repairs and maintenance in people’s homes, or are carrying out other work in a home such as cleaning or paid-for childcare in a child’s home. You can continue work, providing that you are well and have no symptoms. No work should be carried out by a tradesperson, cleaner or nanny who has coronavirus symptoms, however mild, or when someone in their own household has symptoms.”
The Government asked a question in their FAQs “Can I travel to someone’s house to look after children?” The answer given by the Government was:
“If you provide paid-for childcare in a child’s home, you can go to your place of work – this is in line with Government guidance that you can travel to work if working from home is not possible. However, it is important that you take as many precautions as possible in line with Public Health England guidance, including:
- if you or someone in your own home has symptoms, you should not go to work, but self-isolate in accordance with Government advice
- you should not work in any household which is isolating or where an individual is being shielded, unless it is to remedy a direct risk to the safety of the household
- wash your hands more often than usual, for 20 seconds using soap and hot water, particularly after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose, including when you arrive at work and when you return home
- to reduce the spread of germs when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, or your sleeve (not your hands) if you don’t have a tissue, and throw the tissue in a bin immediately. Then wash your hands
- clean and disinfect regularly touched objects and surfaces using your regular cleaning products to reduce the risk of passing the infection on to other people
- maintain social distance as far as possible with family members and others that you are not directly caring for
Your employers are responsible for informing you and supporting you in how to maintain these measures.”
Register your interest
Send us your details and a representative from one of our nanny agency branches will call you back to discuss how we can meet your childcare needs.
